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Old Mar 7, 2009 | 11:38 PM
  #1  
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What's More Important?

Lots of money or driving an old Aero?

took wife to grocery store today and set in my old Aero while she went in, bad back and no walking on concrete floors.

happened to notice young family in car next to Aero, 2 yound kids in back seat.
husband and wife counting cash and going over grocery list. had their WIC kid food coupon book out. looked like maybe $20 in $1 bills total.
long discussion, 10 minutes or more between the husband and wife. both clean cut, not druggers. kids looked to be maybe 18 months and 3 in car seats, clean but lightly dressed for 40 d F cold windy blustery sleet raining day, no coats for kids dad or mom.

after the husband got out of their car, i made my decision. got out and asked him if he was out of work. he said laid off 4 months ago and barely scraping by.

gave him the large bills out of my wallet, enough to fill a grocery cart. he was embarrassed but very thankful.

Aero drove great on the way home, gonna keep it another 13 years.
 
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Old Mar 7, 2009 | 11:53 PM
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Cliff,

You are such an angel.
 
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Old Mar 8, 2009 | 12:03 AM
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Very kind of you. What comes around, goes around. You are a class act, my friend.

M
 
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Old Mar 8, 2009 | 05:43 AM
  #4  
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the most important is to understand what is the most important)))) LOL

People say G.Bush said it.
 
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Old Mar 8, 2009 | 08:21 AM
  #5  
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Brought a tear to my eye!
 
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Old Mar 8, 2009 | 10:29 AM
  #6  
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Cliff,

You need to keep that Aerostar......to have something large enough to haul that big heart of yours around. That was a truly benevolent act of random kindness. Bless you.
 
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Old Mar 9, 2009 | 01:51 AM
  #7  
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I did a free wiring job on an aero at work so these people could rent a tow dolly (96 awd w over 200k miles on it, almost minty mint condition)... does that count for something? i've seen a lot of aero's out and about since the economy has entered the trash and they people behind the wheel often look just as scragly as their van's... any ways 96 good job for ya!
 
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Old Mar 9, 2009 | 05:30 AM
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what limits towing capasity really? 4.0 may tow about 3 ton, but how to stop? Push type brakes can not solve stability problem, becouse to pull over safely trailer should start braking first and "strech" trucktor-trailer combination. from other side trailer shold have ABS. Unfortunatly there is only one way to join trucktor - trailer brake systems - use air brakes. hydraulic-air converters are available. But to save tranny you are to use "slow rear end".
 
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Old Mar 9, 2009 | 08:00 AM
  #9  
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Great story, that was a really nice thing to do!
 
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Old Mar 9, 2009 | 08:59 AM
  #10  
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well, here we use tandem type trailers as commercial with mechanically controlled prakes


well, but better to add electric air compressor, 2 air tanks and hyr/air modulator. so we'll get air controlled trailer brake. and we can use trailer twice heavier then towing wehicle (+ it may be used for international transportation according according ECE UN rules).
Air & Air Hydraulic Trailer Kits: Low Cost Trailer Supplies

Air-Over-Hydraulic Brake System

independent trailer ABS may be used too.

it trailer axes have hydravlic breaks we can use air over hydro brakes. Work fine too


Step #2 - to let powertraine wokr well and not be pverladen we can do rear end swap to "slow one".
 
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Old Mar 9, 2009 | 09:10 AM
  #11  
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Very nice 96,
Nice to know there are still decent caring folks like you still out in the world. These young folks/kids are in for a rough time with the recession and all. I'm old school too. I was always taught to give the shirt off my back if someone needs what I have more than I do. It is truly the way we should all be. Its people like you that if there were more in the world of we wouldn't even have wars and famine. Keep up the good work. I salute you my friend.
 
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Old Mar 9, 2009 | 12:52 PM
  #12  
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Originally Posted by Pablo-UA
well, here we use tandem type trailers as commercial with mechanically controlled prakes
Wrong thread Pablo


Nice one Cliff
"When someone does you a big favor, don't pay it back... Pay It Forward"
 
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Old Mar 10, 2009 | 09:13 PM
  #13  
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Nice thing to do! Sometimes its hard to know when to do it. Sounds like you called it right..I hope when folks see me driving my old aero they don't get out and give me money...LOL



Dick
 
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Old Mar 10, 2009 | 10:04 PM
  #14  
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[quote=99f350sd;7246478]Nice thing to do! Sometimes its hard to know when to do it. Sounds like you called it right..I hope when folks see me driving my old aero they don't get out and give me money...LOL


NICE! What a "CARD" you are. Money?!? You think you're good enough for mulla? Someone has a VERY HIGH opinion about themselves don't they? I was thinking more like a ratty Ol' pair of socks.
 
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Old Mar 10, 2009 | 10:12 PM
  #15  
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It's said that you should give only to an organized charity, but sometimes you have to trust your gut feelings, and it looks like you sized these folks up and made a good choice.
We will all have the opportunity to act as you did in situations like this as times get tougher.
Ray Mac.
 
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